Acoustic neuroma

Rights Managed

SS2838397

A5564A

False color MRI scan of an axial section of the head of someone suffering from an acoustic neurofibroma (neuroma), a benign tumor of the internal auditory meatus that results in progressive deafness. Here, the tumor appears as a circular lesion, colored green. Its appearance on the original black and white MRI was enhanced by the intravenous injection of a gadolinium based contrast agent. Such a tumor may grow to compress the brain stem; surgical removal is the only cure and this is likely to result in a loss of hearing on the affected side.

Mehau Kulyk / Science Source

234410220405